Yoko Haruhara - The Japan Times

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Yoko Haruhara

For Yoko Haruhara's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 13, 2004

Illuminating the lives of ancient rulers

"Treasures, of Ancient China" a major exhibition now at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, features a wealth of visual information and artifacts. In a process that took two years to complete, the four curators selected an amazing array of items from 50 museums in China, including both recent archaeological finds as well as 1,000 years of Buddhist art.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Jul 7, 2004

The cutting edge of samurai swords

Attention to detail, design, and decoration are hallmarks of traditional Japanese aesthetics, and these values are shown off splendidly by the decorative elements and accoutrements of the Japanese sword. Furthermore, the sword is believed to be an almost sacred item, capturing the soul and spirit of the samurai warrior -- known as bushido. As a result, it has a deep symbolic content that resonates within Japanese culture.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Jun 23, 2004

A Korean marriage of high and low art

In Asia, June is traditionally the most popular month for weddings -- as is evident from the ceremonies you'll see happening around you every weekend. It's timely, then, that the current exhibition at the Mingeikan (Japan Folk Crafts Museum) offers a glimpse of the practices and iconography of Korean wedding ceremonies, as well as a broader look at Korean craft art.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Mar 3, 2004

Edo craftsmanship in full flower

Located in Kitanomaru Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Kudanshita, central Tokyo, is the National Museum of Modern Art's Crafts Gallery. It seems appropriate that during the flowering seasons of ume (plum) and cherry the gallery should be hosting a show titled "Flower Design." The exhibition, which runs till April 11, displays more than 100 works with floral ornamentation, including examples of furniture, lacquerware, ceramics, kimono and accessories.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Nov 19, 2003

Welcome to the Zen garden of the real

The artworks of an eminent father and son form the center of a striking exhibition that recently opened at Tokyo National Museum. On show in "Fusuma Paintings of Jukoin" are rare works by Kano Eitoku (1543-1590) and his father, Kano Shoei (1519-1592), which have been designated as national treasures. Considered to be masterpieces of Japanese decorative art, the principal works in the exhibition date from the late Muromachi Period (1392-1573).

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 15, 2003

The razzle-dazzle of Edo life, art

The allure of the Japanese folding screens of the Edo Period (1603-1867) lies in their elegance, their dazzling schemes of silver and gold, and the painstaking detail of their form and decoration. A wonderful opportunity to appreciate such pieces is the exhibition "Paintings of the Edo Period," now showing at the Seikado Bunko Museum. On display are 39 works, dating from 1603 to 1867, including folding screens, hanging scrolls and illustrated scrolls.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Jun 18, 2003

Plain as blue and white

In the 16th and 17th centuries, China produced exquisite porcelain that remained a virtual secret to the outside world -- most of it was commissioned for the exclusive use of Japanese patrons. A new exhibition at the Seikado Bunko Art Museum, "Chinese Porcelains of the Late Ming to Early Qing Dynasties," showcases more than 90 pieces of this blue-and-white ware, as well as enameled ware imported from China for use in Japanese tea ceremonies and kaiseki meals.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Feb 19, 2003

Stylish somethings for the boys of Edo

Accessories used to adorn men's clothing in the Edo Period (1603-1867) are currently showing in an exhibition at the Seikado Bunko Art Museum, titled "Tsuba, Inro and Netsuke."

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Feb 5, 2003

Slip into Wonderland in a museum of marvels

The Koishikawa Annex of Tokyo University Museum is currently hosting an eye-catching exhibition, "Microcosmographia: Mark Dion's Chamber of Curiosities." The brainchild of New York-based contemporary artist Mark Dion, the show runs until March 2.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 16, 2002

Savoring and saving China's art

Japan's history is replete with examples of the assimilation of art and artifacts from China, yet in many cases the cultural traditions that produced them have disappeared in China itself. Often, the best clues to further our understanding of these lost artistic traditions lie in examining artifacts preserved down the centuries by Japanese collectors.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Jun 12, 2002

From the hands of masters down the ages

The most impressive of the numerous art exhibitions taking place this summer to celebrate South Korea and Japan's co-hosting of the World Cup soccer finals opened on Tuesday at Ueno's Tokyo National Museum. "The Dynastic Heritage of Korea," running June 11 to July 28, is the largest exhibition ever held outside Korea of the country's dynastic treasures. Showcasing some 270 works of art dating from 3,000 B.C. to the 20th century, the display includes Buddhist sculptures, ceramics, paintings, textiles, furniture, jewelry and calligraphy.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Apr 24, 2002

Rage against the machine: anti-tech art

"The First Move," a showcase of finalists for the 2002 Philip Morris Art Award, opens this Saturday at Tokyo International Forum. On display until May 6, the exhibition includes paintings, photographs, 3-D pieces, videos, installations and computer-generated work by 57 young artists selected from more than 1,095 entries. The 10 award winners, to be announced May 1, will then have their works shown in New York at the Museum of Modern Art's PS1 Contemporary Art Center.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Feb 13, 2002

Korean art of fine living

In celebration of the upcoming 2002 World Cup soccer finals co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum will hold an exhibition titled "Masterpieces of Korean Art from the Joseon Dynasty" from Feb. 19. The exhibition consists of 300 works of art of the Joseon, or Yi, Dynasty (1392-1910) including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, costumes, jewelry -- and especially furniture.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Nov 21, 2001

Unconscious beauty crafted by Korea's unknown artists

The founder of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan), Soetsu Yanagi (1889-1961), was a collector and philosopher who had been attracted to Korean crafts since his youth. Recognizing the beauty of folk craft, he strove for its recognition both in Japan and abroad.

CULTURE / Art

Jul 4, 2001

Korean imports offer glimpse of a subtle aesthetic

It is not often that such a rare and wonderfully varied collection is put on public view as that currently at the Seikado Bunko Art Museum. This special exhibition, from the permanent collection of the museum, is on display for the first time since 1994.

CULTURE / Art

May 23, 2001

Bright horizon seen from Odaiba

Reflecting the energy and vibrancy of the surrounding Odaiba district on Tokyo Bay, the "New York Philip Morris Art Award: 24 Winners from 1996 to 2000" exhibition is housed in the Fuji Television Forum, on the 22nd floor of the landmark Fuji Television Headquarters Office Tower.

CULTURE / Art

Sep 30, 2000

Korean folk traditions come alive on porcelain

Folk art motifs on the painted plates of Kim So Sun In our contemporary world, where art is commissioned for anything from airplanes to automobiles, the transposition of 17th-century Korean folk art to modern porcelain dishes should not prove too surprising. In a wonderful burst of innovation, artistKim So Sun has borrowed from the rich folk art tradition of Yi Dynasty Korea (1392-1910, also called the Choson Dynasty). Her exhibition of "Korean Folk Art Imprinted on Porcelain," on display Oct. 2-6 at the gallery of the Korean Cultural Service of the Korean Embassy, provides a rare glimpse into the world of traditional folk art and culture of Korea.

CULTURE / Art

Aug 31, 2000

Covering the fine arts: Frank Stella speaks

Frank Stella As part of the celebration of the art collection at the U.S. ambassador's residence, Ambassador Foley invited celebrated artist Frank Stella to take part in the reception and media tour. The day after the media tour, The Japan Times interviewed Stella at the residence. Following are excerpts from the interview.

CULTURE / Art

Aug 31, 2000

Art and history intersect in U.S. ambassador's residence

Most of us only dream of being able to pick out our favorite pieces of art from museums to display in our homes.

CULTURE / Art

Apr 23, 2000

Neo-Japonisme takes stage

One of the highlights of the Golden Week holiday this year is the Philip Morris Art Award 2000 Exhibition, on display April 24-May 7 at Yebisu Garden Place. The show presents a refreshingly diverse grouping of 100 contemporary works of art including paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures and installations, as well as video art, computer graphics and media art.

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